All The Highlights From The Blue Dragon Film Awards
Explore the distinguished actresses honoured at this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards, celebrating their exceptional cinematic careers.
On the evening of November 24th, the highly anticipated 2023 Blue Dragon Film Awards ceremony took centre stage after a prolonged buildup. Currently, the captivating snapshots from the event and the announced winners are capturing significant attention across social media platforms.
Distinguishing itself from the Daejong Awards, which prioritises films with academic merit, the Blue Dragon Awards spotlight the most popular and blockbuster films of the year. These prestigious accolades represent the oldest and most esteemed film awards in Korea.
Let's delve into the accolades and notable careers of the awarded actresses this year.
This year, Jung Yoo-mi from the movie Sleep was honoured as the Queen of Blue Dragon, aka the "Best Actress" award. Stepping onto the stage to accept the award, the actress expressed heartfelt gratitude for receiving the prestigious gold trophy, a meaningful recognition after 20 years in the industry.
"I am sincerely thankful to the audience who watched Sleep in theatres and supported me. I've learnt immensely and owe a lot to Director Yoo Jae-seon, who guided me through a truly exceptional performance."
"I wish to share this honour with the film crew. I also want to express my gratitude to senior Kim Hye-soo. A decade ago, if it weren't for her guidance, I'm unsure if I'd still be pursuing acting. I believe her mentorship has been pivotal in sustaining my career until now. I will forever support my seniors," Jung expressed gratefully.
Jung's dedication and versatility across various roles have garnered high praise from Korean audiences. Reflecting on her career, she shared with Chosun, "Acting, for me, doesn't demand extraordinary courage or sacrifice. It's my profession, and my responsibility is to weave compelling stories."
Notable filmography: The Crucible (2011), Train to Busan (2016), Kim Ji-young: Born 1982 (2019), Oki's Movie (2010), Our Sunhi (2013).
The accolade for "Best New Actress" was bestowed upon our cover star, Go Min-si for her role in the movie Smugglers.
Even after seven years in the industry, the award came as a surprise to the actress. She was visibly taken aback, almost stumbling as she ascended the stage. Her candid moments became widely shared on social media, turning her into a notable figure during this awards season. Go Min-si stood bewildered during her speech and received encouragement from actress Kim Hye-soo, who advised, "Take your time to gather your thoughts. Your on-screen confidence doesn't match your current appearance. You look stunning."
Encouraged by Kim Hye-soo's words, Go Min-si regained composure and remarked, "In Smugglers, the transformations of senior actresses Hye-soo and Jung-ah are as natural as breathing. Without them, we couldn't have portrayed our characters authentically." She expressed immense gratitude to Kim Hye-soo, saying, "Receiving the Best New Actress award from senior Hye-soo is a precious, radiant recognition that I'll cherish for a lifetime."
Notable filmography: Youth Of May, Sweet Home, Love Alarm, The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion.
The movie Cobweb led Jeon Yeo-been to clinch the "Best Supporting Actress" award.
Despite appearing predominantly in independent films, few know that Jeon Yeo-been initially pursued Broadcast Entertainment at Dongduk Women's University and aspired to become a doctor in her childhood. Her first supporting role in The Best Director came about through an accidental encounter with director Moon So-ri. Since then, she has found success in numerous indie films while embodying many strong, independent characters.
Notable filmography: After My Death, Vincenzo (2021), Night in Paradise (2021), A Time Called You (2023).
The 44th Blue Dragon Awards marked Kim Hye-soo's final hosting gig. Over three decades, barring 1998, she consistently graced the stage alongside a male MC. As an actress, Kim Hye-soo clinched the "Best Actress" award thrice in 1993, 1995, and 2006, becoming the youngest recipient of this honour in Blue Dragon history.
When presented with the golden statue of "Special Achievement Award," veteran actor Jung Woo-sung was visibly moved, remarking, "It feels like bidding farewell to a long-term relationship. There was a time when the Blue Dragon held significant meaning—it's all thanks to Kim Hye-soo."
"I am immensely grateful that the Blue Dragon Film Award has become a part of the story of an actress named Kim Hye-soo," expressed Kim emotionally.
Receiving the "Popular Star" award alongside Song Joong-Ki, Kim Seon-Ho, and Zo In-Sung, Park Bo-Young captivated public attention with her timeless, pure beauty. The past year witnessed Bo Young actively engaging in various roles, portraying characters that exude simplicity and purity, providing audiences with a sense of relaxation.
Notable filmography: Daily Dose Of Sunshine, Concrete Utopia, Strong Girl Bong-soon.
